A ‘Spam-tastic’ party: ‘Spammy Jammy’ at Goodland’s Little Bar a sizzling start to summer

GOODLAND — Spam was sculpted, jammies were worn, and the gods were appeased for one more hurricane season. For the 20th time (or 383rd, according to Sultan of Spam Ray Bozicnik) the Little Bar in Goodland hosted Spammy Jammy, the iconic end of season blowout, on Saturday night.

The party started in the afternoon and went all evening, as celebrants rocked around the clock. Revelers packed the little bar at the Little Bar, and spilled out onto the sidewalk out front, and the docks out back. In the impromptu art gallery set up to showcase the contest entries, whimsical Spam sculptures shared space on the tables with Spam-based food creations, which were available for sampling.

The hometown tribute to local legend “Spam” Gober, whose namesake recently passed, took first place in the Spam sculpture contest. The faithful likeness, complete with shades, straw hat and a goatee made of miniature marshmallows, was credited to artists Dustin and Becky in the official judges’ tally.

Another standout sculpture, and a crowd favorite, continued the Spammy Jammy tradition of pulling current events into the contest. “Spamdusky Time” was a hilarious and savage parody of the recently convicted Penn State football assistant coach, with a creepy looking head peering out from an actual shower curtain, and the legend underneath “Don’t drop the Spam!”

“That one is really art. It’s spectacular,” said Karen Webb, of “Spamdusky Time,” which won second place for sculptors Laurie and Mark. “My Pet Spamster,” complete with an exercise wheel, won third place for the artist known as Tom. Additional standouts included Wade Mundinger’s guitar, made of Spam and duct tape with a ham pickguard, and “Spamdelabara” by Lisa Bauman, with little pink pigs making future generations of Spam in various ways.

The “makin’ bacon” theme was also visible on bartender Mike Calciano’s necktie, for those who took a close look, and the entire affair had a refreshing, let-it-all-hang-out vibe. Ray Bozicnik, co-owner of the Little Bar, showed up as Rich Uncle Pennybags of Monopoly fame, although his walrus mustache came unglued at some point during the evening.

His sister, and co-owner, Niki Bauer wore a black bustier, and Ray’s wife Amy Bozicnik was elegant in a long white negligee with a plunging décolletage. Marco restaurateur Frank LaCava sported his arm in a cast, making the scene after having an overhead door come down hard on him the night before.

John Aboud’s smoked Spam with spicy beans won top honors in the food category. Unlike many of the food creations, his dish was not created for the contest, and was only included as a last-minute whim, he said. Other food entries included “Spamish Eggs,” Spam chili, and an entire “Spam-icatessen” created by Guy Glover.

Tunes were provided early in the evening by acoustic guitarist John Lowbridge, and later by the Starke “All Spam” Band. Speaking of cooking with Spam, Starke cooked up audience favorites including “The Cover of Rolling Stone,” Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” and “Far Away Eyes” by the Rolling Stones.

A good time was had by all, and Goodland enjoyed one more excuse for a party before the long, hot summer. After opening for “Spamover” on Sunday, the Little Bar closed for the off-season, with re-opening loosely planned for October.